Restaurante La Bola
Restaurante La Bola
La Bola has cooked cocido madrileño on Calle de la Bola, in the Palacio barrio a few steps from the Royal Palace, since 1870. The stew still goes into individual clay pots over oak charcoal, four generations on, and the house holds a Solete in the Guía Repsol. The room reads classic and rustic, the energy is lively, and it's worth booking.
Social
From @tabernalabola on Instagram
☀️🥣 Cuando aprieta el calor, hay un plato que nunca falla: el gazpacho andaluz. Fresco, ligero y lleno de sabor, es una de las recetas más apetecibles del verano. En La Bola lo elaboramos con verduras de kilómetro 0: tomates, cebolla, ajo, pimientos, pepino, pan, un buen aceite de oliva y agua. In
🙏❤️ ¿Sabéis qué día es hoy? Hoy, 29 de julio, celebramos a Santa Marta, la patrona de los hosteleros. Es un día muy especial para todos los que dedicamos nuestra vida a recibir a la gente, preparar una buena mesa y hacer que os sintáis como en casa. Después de más de 150 años, en La Bola seguimos
🍷 ¡Os toca ayudarnos! Estamos pensando en incorporar nuevos vinos a nuestra carta y queremos saber vuestra opinión. 👉 Si pudierais elegir una botella para La Bola, ¿cuál sería? 💬 Os leemos en los comentarios. #labola #cocidomadrileño #restaurantemadrid #tabernalabola #calloslabola
👀 Seguro que alguna vez has visto un cuadro en chino en nuestro restaurante y te has preguntado qué significa. Pues no es una decoración cualquiera. Se trata de un reconocimiento que recibimos y que acredita que cumplimos con las expectativas de los visitantes chinos que llegan a Madrid. Es un org
👀 ¿Te has fijado alguna vez en que debajo de nuestro logo pone Wamba? Muchos de vosotros nos lo preguntáis cuando visitáis La Bola, y la verdad es que tiene una historia muy curiosa que forma parte de nuestra identidad y de nuestras raíces. Hoy os contamos por qué ese nombre nos acompaña desde hac
🌱🥘 ¡Ya han llegado nuestras verduras de verano! Como bien dice Javi, ya tenemos en La Bola los productos que nos acompañarán esta temporada. Y, como sabéis, apostamos por el kilómetro 0 gracias a la huerta @losesquimos Tomates, cebolletas, ajos, patatas y repollo son algunos de los ingredientes q
Background
About Restaurante La Bola
The Story
La Bola has cooked cocido madrileño on the corner of Calle de la Bola since 1870, and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid lists it among the city's comercios centenarios. Four generations on the same corner, the house says the stew is still made as it was on day one: slowly, in individual clay pots, over oak charcoal. Its own site brands it Taberna La Bola, and it holds a Solete in the Guía Repsol.
The Cuisine
Cocido madrileño is the reason to come: chickpeas, the meats, vegetables and the broth, cooked in an individual clay pot over oak charcoal and served in stages, starting with the noodle soup. Around it sits traditional Madrid tavern cooking, callos included, with buñuelos among the desserts. The current carta is at labola.es.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Restaurante La Bola Ratings & Reviews
Diner Ratings
TripAdvisor
3.6
2782 reviews
Restaurant Guru
4.9
12200 reviews
4.2
8004
Reservations
How to Book Restaurante La Bola
Booking
Reservations by phone or online via the website.
Reserve
Experience
Restaurante La Bola Dining Experience
Classic and rustic inside, and lively rather than hushed. The cooking stays traditional Madrid, with no attempt at reinvention: cocido madrileño first, at central-Madrid prices.
Navigate
Restaurante La Bola Location & Neighbourhood
Address
Calle de la Bola, 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Get directions→Getting There
Calle de la Bola, 5, in Palacio, the grand historic western edge of central Madrid wrapped around the Palacio Real de Madrid and Plaza de Oriente. The pace here is slower than the rest of Centro.
Nearby
Palacio is the grand, historic western edge of the centre, wrapped around Palacio Real de Madrid and Plaza de Oriente. The eating runs from tavern cooking that has not changed in generations to small rooms doing something quieter and more modern. Teatro Real and Jardines de Sabatini set the pace, which is slower here.
Nearby Restaurants
Where to stay nearby
Hotels we rank within walking distance of Restaurante La Bola.
Details
Restaurante La Bola Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Tuesday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Wednesday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00–20:30 |
| Friday | 12:00–20:30 |
| Saturday | 12:00–20:30 |
| Sunday | 13:00–16:00 |
Restaurante La Bola hours verified 2026-08-10. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Good to Know
Questions
Restaurante La Bola FAQ
What kind of food does La Bola serve?
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Cocido madrileño first and foremost, cooked in individual clay pots over oak charcoal, plus traditional Madrid tavern cooking around it. The current carta is on the venue's own site at labola.es.
How old is La Bola?
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It dates to 1870, and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid lists it among the city's comercios centenarios. The house says it's four generations on the same corner of old Madrid.
When is La Bola open?
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Sunday to Wednesday 13:00 to 16:00, and Thursday to Saturday 12:00 to 20:30. It's at Calle de la Bola 5, in Palacio, close to the Palacio Real and Plaza de Oriente.
How much does the cocido cost at La Bola?
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The cocido a la madrileña is €26 on the carta at labola.es. Overall a meal runs around €26 to €50 per person.
Do I need to book at La Bola?
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It's worth it. La Bola takes reservations through its own site, and diners who turn up without one report waits of an hour or more at busy times.
Does La Bola have a Michelin star?
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No. It holds a Solete in the Guía Repsol, but it isn't in the Michelin Guide.
How is the cocido served at La Bola?
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In two vuelcos: first the noodle soup from the clay pot, then the chickpeas, vegetables and meats. Each pot is cooked individually over holm-oak charcoal.
Does La Bola have set menus?
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Yes, several, most built around the cocido, with house wine, water and a liqueur included; some start with La Bola's barrel vermouth and banderillas. The kitchen can also adapt a menu on request.